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I think an adult coloring book is a great idea...sm, [2008-12-02]
I think it would be a stress reliever. Coloring is relaxing, it doesn't take concentration, you see your progress, you concentrate but it's more of a meditation trance. You just need the time to do it :-)

where does this book plug in? [2008-11-25]
Great, now even reading bedtime books to my kids is getting outsourced!

For a real life-changing book, read The Last Lecture. nm [2008-10-26]
x

book [2008-10-23]
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10241585 Here is the site where I found the book... all the way at the bottom you can click on read all reviews & read what everybody is saying about it. I saw the movie & if this book is half as good as that movie it will be great! Everybody says really good things about the book:) may wanna check it out!

I bought a little recipe book at the checkout...sm [2008-10-10]
line at the store and the name of it is Freezer Meals. It is all things you can cook and freeze. I was amazed at all the things. One of them is meat loaf. Another was these little homemade french bread pizzas. Also sloppy joes can be made and wrapped in aluminum foil and frozen and put in the oven frozen still wrapped in the sluminum foil at 350 for 35 or so minutes. There were so many things.

If you look in the Government pages in your local phone book. sm [2008-09-17]
If you look in the government pages of your local phone book, you will find numbers for their DC office and their local offices if they have one. You can also call the White House. That number you have to call information for. You could even get the numbers online. THe area code for Washington, DC is 202.

May I recommend a book [2008-09-09]
Which may help?The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense. May seem completely unrelated, but I sense a serious problem in the way he responded to you about how YOU should have responded to HIS needs. It is extremely subtle, the technique he is using. I highly recommend the book; difficult to get, out of print. I have a copy and am not willing to give it up....

yes, that was book 4 [2008-08-02]
She has published 6 in the series so far and #7 should be out next year. DG has said that there will be at least 8, so leaving open the possibility for a 9th. She also has plans for a second Outlandish companion book and a prequel about Jamie's parents, but who knows when.

I just finished a book by [2008-07-28]
Mary Kay Andrews entitled Savannah Breeze. Great book! The next one I will read is Savannah Blues (same author).

I just finished her book, "We're just like you, only prettier." sm [2008-07-28]
Some easy reading, funny stuff. Right now IWorth More Dead. She is a great writer, but I need to read light things once in awhile to cleanse the palate, so to speak.

Okay, THAT book sounds hilarious!!! [2008-07-27]
Gotta get a copy of that! =)

Everyone should read his book, it's wonderful. sm [2008-07-26]
I originally borrowed it from the library and read it, but it was so fantastic that I bought my own copy so I could read it again and share it with others. He was truly an amazing man and has touched the lives of so many people.

That sounds like a good book. [2008-07-26]
I just finished ObamaAudacity of Hope

His book was really good [2008-07-25]
He has nice quick little stories constituting his book with words of wisdom thrown in. His book has really changed some of my outlook on things--I have three kids nearly the same ages as his children and a husband who is 2 years older than Randy Pausch. (I'm quite a bit younger.) One (or both) of us possibly could be in a situation like his--you just never know, so live your childhood dreams and leave something for your kids to be proud of... Anyway, I wholeheartedly recommend his book. I haven't been picking up books too much (except to study), but I was drawn to his book sitting there in the new section of my library's shelf. I'm glad I took the couple of hours to read it. It's a quick and interesting read. Above all, I hope his death was peaceful and as painless as possible and that his wife and children have wonderful memories of him.

latest update on 16-year-old daughter. [2008-07-18]
Well, I did it. I told my husband. He had a good stern talking with her about how what she is doing is not good and will not be tolerated, and told her that the rules were expected to be abided by. He grounded her for 2 weeks and we took away her license and car keys. She is beside herself and of course hates me more than anything because I betrayed her to her dad. Go figure. Anyway, now she states that there is no way she will stay in this house and will just run away. Or she will get a job and as soon as she can get some money together, she will emancipate herself from us. My husband told her that if she runs away, the next step will be something like military school. What a mess. He says we have to be tough or she won't get the message. This is so hard for me. I feel like I lost her. She wants nothing to do with me. I just hope and pray that someday she will understand that I did what I think is best for her. At least now he knows and he can help me handle it. If she does run away, at least now he knows. I told her I love her more than life and I am doing this for her own good. She just reiterated how much she hates me.(sigh) Thanks for all the good advice everyone. Please pray for me and my daughter. I never thought being a parent could be this hard.

You're doing great, in my book. [2008-05-10]
You could drive the oldest family car if: 1. You paid your insurance 2. You paid your gas 3. You did well in school 4. You did well at home 5. You showed enough good judgment You had a cell phone when/if: 1. You could pay for a prepaid plan yourself 2. You did well at home 3. You still had rules to follow (no calls before or after rules; I could check text messages, call logs, pictures at my leisure, etc) You're fine, honey. Keep up the good work! Very few things are rights -- most are privileges; very few things are needs -- most are wants --young children and youth and young adults need to learn about that.

To Kill a Mockingbird, movie and book [2008-05-05]
//

putting a book on your desk is NOT pushy, however, [2008-04-18]
telling someone they cannot do so, IS pushing your opinions, now isn't it???? You ACLU anti's are the pushiest kind of people out there. Deny Him now, but remember, eternity is a LOOOOOONG time.

Me too! My latest obsession are shoes from a store on e bay [2008-04-07]
They are called cutsey shoes and I get a pair or two with each pay period. I know it has to end, but they are so cute and not expensive. I am kicking the e bay habit but there's still always room for shoe bids as far as I am concerned. Though I never wear shoes at home and I am there most of the time because I work at home too. LOL.

Actually I have a very good tenants' rights BOOK - sm [2008-02-10]
from Nolo Law. Mentions everything but the kitchen sink - EXCEPT renovation evictions. STILL, now what am I supposed to do when applying for a new apartment? All the applications ask if you've been evicted, and yet having lived here so long, none of my previous landlords is even ALIVE. Do they have to tell a prospective landlord I've been kicked out, even if it wasn't for doing anything wrong (except for living here too long)?

I could write a book (sm) [2008-02-04]
But where do I start? I have an ex-husband and had 3 dogs, one of which was incredibly loyal to him even though he never lived in the house since her birth. All she had to hear was, Daddy's coming over tonight, and she would just stare out the window until he arrived. Well, I moved and only could take 2 dogs, so I told him he had to take Clara (it was a lie, but I felt like they needed each other LOL). He lives in an efficiency and when he went to work, she managed to do all kinds of crafty things when he was gone.... like taking a half-full can of Diet Coke, spilling in on the bed, and then covering it up with the blankets... She can get into child-proof locks on the cabinets. He has to put the garbage in his car every day. She opens up the coffee container and just leaves it for him... like... okay... see what I can do? She is the smartest dog I've seen in my life. When they visit, I swear, she understands what I'm saying. But the most incredible thing is how she loves him. He did some Internet searches for things to keep dogs with separation anxiety busy. Remember, she was here with her siblings and me all the time. You might want to check that out. One idea was stuffing an apple with peanut butter. He finally resorted to just leaving the jar open. The cage isn't really a bad idea either if it's a young pup. One more story... He was walking her and an unleashed dog attacked her. He managed to separate them and get someone to get Clara back in the house, but the door didn't shut tightly. He was still holding the unleashed dog and she bounded out out to defend him. She ended up getting ripped up with over 40 stitches. He's convinced she only came back out for his sake. Anyhow, sorry for going on, but if any suggestions below don't work (I didn't read them), do a search or email me and I'll give you his email so he might give you some tips. I was just thinking today how my life revolves around my dogs. I really don-)

Secret Life of Bees and her other book [2008-01-31]
nm

I read this book and actucally [2008-01-31]
where The Glass Castle was supposed to be built is about 30-40 minutes from here. I also heard the author speak at a dinner. I still doneverything in the book but it did make for an interesting read.

kitchen confidential...the book is on tape/maybe CD by now read by the author...sm [2008-01-24]
Kitchen Confidential (2000) is Chef Anthony Bourdainglistening, vaguely sexual-looking object, still dripping and nearly alive,the wilderness years. zSB(3,3) Sponsored Links No Reservations—GreeceBourdain Explores the Greek Isles. Tune in! New Episode Monday 10 e/p.TravelChannel.com/Bourdain Anthony Bourdain TonesGet Anthony Bourdain tones Instant music ringtones!AnthonyBourdain.AnyTonez.com Gordon Ramsey QuizAre You a Good Cook? Test Your cooking knowledge with our fun quizQuizRocket.com/cooking-quiz It is one of the central ironies of my career that as soon as I got off heroin things started getting really bad. High on dope I was, prior to Ginorubes and those who exist outside the restaurant industry, civilians. His approach to writing is the same as his approach to food: clear, concise, and lacking in ephemeral B.S. He is, in short, a pleasure to read - or to listen to, as in this case. As an audio book, Kitchen Confidential soars, because who better to deliver Anthony Bourdain href=http://www.simplyaudiobooks.com/audio-books/Kitchen+Confidential/13576/>www.simplyaudiobooks.com.

I read the book. Even better. [2008-01-15]
xo


Google

Am I the Wicked Step-Mother? [2008-12-02]
I know I don't post here much but I do read and feel you are all friends. I offer prayers for those that request them and feel for those with troubles. I would like to know what you think about my latest dilemma. I came home from town today to find a phone call from my step-daughter, age 43. She has my cell phone number but for some reason she wonno this time and now I feel terrible. She started out by saying she had a medical bill to pay and then turned it around to a DUI fine that has to be paid by Jan. 1. She got picked up in August for a tail light out and had been drinking with co-workers. Her story. I was advised by the court not to help her so that was part of the reason I said no. She works two part-time waitressing jobs. She's divorced and no kids. She said she would pay me back $100 a month. If that is true why couldn't she have saved $100 a month and had the money to pay the fine? She called me a few weeks ago and I know she wanted money then but she didn't come right out and ask until today. Thanks for listening, I appreciate it.

Mine is in the front room [2008-12-02]
which is supposed to be I guess the formal living room, but we never used it for that. I'm right next to two big windows so I can look out and see what's happening around me. My daugher's computer is right near mine so I can monitor her and my youngest daughter uses it for her playroom. I'm somewhat cluttered, but not overly so. Lot of pictures (my autograph collection), pens, scanner, steno book, dictionary. I've love to have doors put in, but I doubt that will ever happen.

That takes some nerve in my opinion. [2008-12-02]
It is not like you have any say so in your son's graduation, and in my book that would be more important to me than my nephew's wedding. It if interferes with the wedding, so what. There is nothing you can do about it.

Things that are better NOW........ [2008-12-02]
Cell Phones: If I ATM Machines: I remember running out of gas on a weekend when the banks were closed back in the 70 The Internet:About 12 years ago, Iremember asking someone what the Internet was, and why we needed it. Now, I Remember the HARD way of doing things in the past? Like buying theater or plane tickets? Looking up directions? Comparing different brands of something you wanted to buy? Selling something you no longer wanted? Looking for a house or an apartment? Getting the latest news? The list is endless. Long Live The Internet!!!! Google: Who can live without it? Especially Google Earth Google Maps? Now I Back in the day when I had to rely on someone Digital Cameras: When I think of all the money I spent on film, and then developing said film, and all the film wasted on bad shots in my lifetime, it makes me cringe. I love the freedom and flexibility digital cameras give me to take as many photos as I want, and to experimentwith them,as well. MP3 Players/CD Players: Think of all the fights youin the car over which radio stationto listen to listen to, and how loud. Then think how they never would Dad could Solar Lights: I love solar lights! Garden lights! Floodlights! Christmas lights! You can fill your yard with them, and the power source is FREE!!! Hair-straightening and CurlingIrons: Remember the 60frizzy or too-curly hair with an IRON on your mom Or sleeping with HAIR CURLERS? UGH!!! You can probably think of a million more great things than I did. Let's hear 'em!

I've read the same thing about bathing dogs. sm [2008-11-30]
I have a Sheltie, and the Sheltie book recommends bathing when s/he gets very dirty or before a show. They don't need routine bathing. They need frequent brushing which removes dirt. Some dog breeds don't have oily coats, so don't smell. Sheltie is one of them, a collie is probably the same. I recommend taking Maggie to the groomer for a good brushing every other week or so. It would be good for Maggie's coat and skin. The groomer can advise you when she needs a bath.

Wal-Mart employee [2008-11-28]
I read about that as well - pitifully sad. Shows the state of manners and common decency in this country. If they ever find out who it was who incited this, they should get the book thrown at them! That is one of the reasons why I shop online the majority of the time...

Ah! There is your problem, Singers are worthless! sm [2008-11-27]
Seriously, they are. They have been made in Japan for 35 years or better. Japanese sewing machines are the WORST. Janhome (sp?), White, Necchi, Juki...all Japanese and all terrible things! Brother is from there too these days. They don't keep their tension, they are notoriously difficult to thread and they don't stitch worth a $hyte. If want something you can use for many, many years...you get a Pfaff, an Elna or a Bernina. They are European made. Pfaff has lots of bells and whistles for less money (I swear by a Pfaff and own 4 of them (2 regular, 2 sergers). Bernina is an excellent machine, but plenty of money gets you basics and fancy stuff like an extra presser foot is very pricey (A Pfaff ruffler is like $100, but a Bernina is more like $250). I know Pfaff's best. They have a hook around back to thread your needle for you. They have a fully adjustable tension and it DOES hold and will revert back when you change it. This is something a Singer will never ever cooperate with. Change the tension once and it won't go back no matter where the knob is. They are dead easy to thread and do so in a way that you never have to thread a slot, hole or needle eye. I know you are thinking too much money. One, you get what you pay for, and two, a second-hand Pfaff that has been reconditioned by a factory-trained mechanic is every bit as good as a brand new one. Unlike the Japanese machines, European ones have almost no moving parts, and they are modular. Burn out a motor (I have done this) and the old one snaps out and the new one snaps right in. I can also tell you I was a professional dressmaker of 10 years. In that time I killed a Singer serger, a Juki serger, a Singer lightweight, a New Home and a Necchi. For the second half of those years, I went to a Pfaff. I used the first one so much I wore the carbon brushes out in 15 months, grooved the armature on the motor and had to replace the motor!!! It worked great after that and I sold it for $200 less than I had paid for it new. Right now, to replace the 4 I have would cost me $20,000, but I own the very best, latest thing when I bought what I have. I own the first sewing machine model to retail for over $3000 (at $3399) but I didn't pay anywhere near that because you CAN negotiate on prices of sewing machines at independent retailers. I traded something in and bought 2 new regular machines with a total retail of $5000 and walked out with both for $1800 and that trade in. On a used machine they often make even better deals. No Virginia, it is not you! It is the SEWING MACHINE.

Found my Scrabble game sm [2008-11-26]
Went online to Walmart at 4:30 AM, they had thenew jubilee edition for $10 less than Hasbro direct, ithas a carrying case, curved letter holders, lazy Susan turning board. The only thing I didn I donseedy and I would not enjoy going there in the dark AM, so I did well. I have gotten my two grandsons interested in Scrabble as this is the only part of my brain that works well and itBeat Grammie - better than being glued to the Wii. LL Bean has a great wooden set but it's $99 and would be hard for them to carry around.

nobody plays anything anymore, apparently [2008-11-25]
Wow, it was like you were reciting a chapter from our life. We've had the hardest time around other parents and their kids. You should have seen the confused look we got the other day when someone asked us if our kids liked Diego, and we said that ours don't really watch TV. It was the politest thing to say, because there was the show up on their enormous expensive flat-screen TV, and the animation was so awful, and nothing at all was happening, and the kids were just itching to *do* something instead of being sung at by dead-eyed drawings, but how do you tell people that? ''I might let her watch TV if there were anything on that wasn't a hypnotic half-hour commercial for some crappy toy.'' If you say that, people think *you're* judgmental and weird, no matter how much they look down on you for not having the Latest and Greatest. What can you do? Here's all I can do: Trust myself, trust my instincts that there's a mistake those people are making. My goal is to raise morally good kids. Make them good, make them smart. Rich, snobbish and overstimulated aren't virtues.

We do not ban video games or TV in our house BUT [2008-11-25]
We do limit them. When Santa brought the gaming systems he also brought a contract for the parent's and child to sign limiting the amount of video games on week nights, weekends, and that it is at the parent's descretion if other things need to be completed first. We have never had an argument about video games in my house and my son is 10. He does not have the latest and greatest, and doesn't have many games. Part of Santa's deal was that any games would be as holiday/birthday gifts OR the child has to save up 1/2 the money and the parent's will pitch in the other 1/2. Surprising how much they don't want things that use their own money. We also make a point to play board games and such as a family. He helps with laundry, dishes, etc. and of course homework must be done (and checked by parent's) before any video/TV time. It has never been a problem at our house but I also think he knows that I would not hesitate to toss the sucker out the window if it did become a problem.

This all comes down to the parents [2008-11-25]
I think those women are making a big mistake. I love my sister and nephew, don But he is like that 7 yo and it drives me crazy. BUT my sister and BIL are to blame, I feel. He gets a toy every time they He gets a new toy if he My sister feels guilty if he likes something and she doesn They buy him major video games just because, instead of reserving these things for birthdays or Christmas. They will go out and buy him a $200 item in the middle of the week and when I ask what the occasion is? Nothing, we just thought he'd like it! He is well behaved and they don Yes, it Growing up when we would talk, my sister had definite opinions about what she would and would not do when she had children, and this is not how she felt back then. But he doesn In my opinion, they Just my opinion.

My sister's kids play video games [2008-11-25]
constantly and have for a decade.They always have to have the latest game. She has 4 kids - 3 are obese and one is overweight. We don I I know my husband has wanted to get one. I have 3 kids and they are all very slender. They aren It's a health issue to me, and also a mental health issue, because they are addictive.

D and Jane [2008-11-25]
I was so surprised to see D and Jane books in our local book store this past weekend. I didn't think they were still in print. When I told my daughter about them she looked at me like I had two heads! LOL. I didn't realize I couldn't type out D???. I couldn't even use the ! in it like the poster above.

I Have Never Been So Frustrated In My Life [2008-11-25]
I asked my sweet hubby for a sewing machine as I wanted to learn the basics of sewing. I cannot for the life of me get this machine to work. I was able to somehow get it right once to use it to mess with but I cannot seem to get it right. These machines are so finicky. I took it to a repair shop the other day because my friend who can use a machine couldnt figure it out either. They fixed the tension etc on the machine and told me a couple tips about the bobbin. Worked perfectly fine when they did it. I get it home and cannot get the *(* thing to work to save my life. I have threaded and rethreaded, got my book out and tried again. Have taken the bobbin out and tried to put it back in a hundred times and it is a mess. I am ready to throw the *(^% thing out the window!!!! I cant learn to do even a basic thing cause I can't seem to get the machine going to start with. AARRGGHHHH

Well, at least they're working to [2008-11-24]
support their children. Raising kids in this generation isn The pressure are on parents these days isn In addition to making sure our kids are well taken care of and that we attend the all important PTO meetings, baseball meetings, wrestling club meetings, soccer meetings, football meetings, dance recitals, cheerleading practice, on and on, we also must make sure our 1st and 2nd graders are doing their 1 hour worth of homework each evening and in addition to that make sure we are reading a book to them every night. These are the requirements now set by the schools. The parents must also deal with sex, drugs, and peer pressure at a much younger age than you probably did. Just last week, I had to explain to my second grader what a virgin was. Did he learn that word at home? No, he learned it on the bus because our school district decided to save money by busing all the kids together, high school through kindergarten. The meals you mention your GKs eating, that More than likely, your GKs won You seem very harsh on your kids, and IIs either one ofthe parents involved in their children Do you have any idea how much time that takes? Arethey struggling with finances? Were you a stay-at-home mom or work-at-home mom? Having to get kids ready in the morning and get yourself ready, then spend 8 hours a day working, only to come home and pick up the same kids and do homework with them is not an easy chore. More than likely, your DS and DDIL are tired. Instead of criticizing, why not ask where you can help? Maybe you could offer to make them dinner once a week after work. Give them an evening out without kids to just relax a little bit. I As for the kids But aren Maybe he Maybe mom and dad didn I, myself, grew up in a home where I had frozen pizza at least 2 or 3 times a week for supper. My mom worked nights and my dad didn If my mom could make us a meal before she left, she did. Frozen pizza didn I graduated high school at 140 pounds, normal for 5 tall. My mom and dad were there for everything for me, though, and it It Your words are so harsh and I just have to wonder, if you think they Is it because you know the children are well taken care of, just not up to your standards? Perhaps you should have a conversation with your DS and see what his impressions of your child-rearing of him were. Perhaps there were areas you could have improved on.

Epicurious.com, Rachel Ray, Martha Stewart, etc. sm [2008-11-24]
Google away, I will look up some recipes but sometimes the latest are good also and tested, I have tried some oldies which did not turn out well, be sure they are tested first. Get back to you if I can find some I pre-tested. Good idea, love home baked or home made items, shows you care!

I just wanted to thank you! [2008-11-24]
To the person who posted to informed us of the free photo books at snapfish.com sponsored by Oprah, I just wanted to thank you! I ordered one and my mom ordered one for herself too! They turned out great. I did a wedding photo book as I got married a year ago and still hadn't done a wedding album yet. It turned out amazing!!! Did anybody else take advantage of this amazing offer?

being a grandma [2008-11-24]
My son-in-law hits the baby. He acts like he is all hyped up on drugs andis really aggressive. There is nothing I can do. You should give your kids a book about how really smart and gifted children act like heathens when the eat junk food. There are tons out there. Maybe they will take the hint.

Wow! Was a nerve hit??? [2008-11-24]
I didnLeave it to Beaver. That's just not the case. By the end of the 1960s and into the 1970s the pendulum had started to swing so far toward women having careers that we were often belittled for choosing to be home with the children. Remember Hillary Clinton's cookie baking comment during her husband's first campaign? In fact, stay-at-home moms were the norm for only one brief period in our history right after WW II in the post war boom times. There was a pretty awful recession in the 1970s, and I remember gas rationing and long lines at the pumps. My mother had to work two jobs, and my father, who was in construction, was often one of the first to feel economic ups and downs in his paycheck. But we had dinner together every night at the kitchen table. Before the stay-at-home mothers of 1950's t.v. fame, most mothers worked. They had to. Only the very privileged stayed home and waited for Ward Cleaver to come home from the office. My grandmother, who lived to be 94, God bless her soul, was born in 1908. Her mother died during the great Spanish flu epidemic in 1918. My grandmother was the eldest of four children, and at the age of 10 she became the woman of the house. She stopped going to school so that she could cook and clean and took care of her father and siblings. And no one thought that was wrong. It was expected because there really weren't any government social services -- no welfare, no foster care. Eventually, when her father's depression over the loss of his wife became so great that he couldn't manage to bring home an income, people in the neighborhood just took over. The two eldest children went to live with other families. The two youngest went to an orphanage. My grandmother's father just drifted away and his children never saw him again. My grandmother married at age 20 and had four children during the depression. Talk about having it hard. When I was a young mother trying to make ends meet and I'd cry to my grandmother, she brought me around to reality. She told me what it was like for her to raise children during that time. Many a night she cried over whether or not she could even feed her children or if they would have a roof over their heads. And she wasn't alone. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, was in the same boat. The Great Depression was enormous. She and my grandfather worked wherever and whenever they could. They brought home a dollar or two at a time and fed their children buttermilk and potatoes. They didn't sleep, they worried all the time. Today, my grandmother's washboard hangs in my kitchen on the wall next to my dishwasher. It reminds me that I have no right to ever say that things are harder on us today. They aren't. Generally speaking, most Americans have so many more advantages, choices and opportunities than those who came before us. Yet many in my generation and the one or two generations behind me are just whiners and crybabies who don't think about the big picture. They even dare to say they have a harder time as parents today. Please. Not even close! Every generation seems to believe that, but just a short trip through a history book proves otherwise. I'm not that very old. But I've raised my children and I raised them well. I know what it takes to do that. It takes self-discipline, sacrifice and consistency. And you know what? That's exhausting. Parents today are tired. So what? All parents are tired. Offer it up, as the old nuns used to say. The kids have homework an hour a night. So what? They should have homework, and parents should make sure that it gets done, because education is important. There are parent-teacher meetings to attend, coaches association meetings, scout meetings, dance lessons, school recitals, etc. etc. etc. So what? Balance it out, quit what can't be done, do what can. Work because you have to. The kids have to be fed. It's still easier than it was a generation ago, two generations ago, three and on and on. We're parents to young ones for only a short time. Which reminds me, let's not forget about birth control. Most of us have 2-point-whatever children these days. I'm the youngest of 7. Most of the families in my neighborhood when I was growing up had 4 or more children. Today women can choose to have as many or as few children as they want. That means that we parent for far fewer years than the generations before us. I'm done with day-to-day parenting after just 20 years, and in fact, it got much easier on my day-to-day schedule once my boys were in high school. But my mother had children at home for 34 years. Imagine the number of cloth diapers for 7 children for year after year after year. Yes. I had it far easier, and I know it. So when I was exhausted raising my two boys, I just sucked it up and kept at it. The OP, I think, probably didn't want to be as blunt as I'm willing to be. She IS helping by babysitting her grandchildren while her children work. I'm sure she loves her children and grandkids, but I'm willing to bet that if she dared to say to her children the things I've posted, her children would react just as you did and she'd end up cut off from her family. To the OP: I hope it helped to vent a little, and I want you to know that I understand.

You tat - how wonderful [2008-11-23]
When my mom was alive she told my her aunt tried teaching her how to TAT but she would go so fast my mom couldntatting for beginners book but I just was never able to get it. I do like to knit, though I have to admit the last time I knitted I was in 4H in school and made slippers. I do cross stitch too.

make a call [2008-11-20]
Look in the phone book under Alcoholics Anonymous and call the central office. Tell them you need someone to make a 12-step call. Someone from your local area who is in AA will come over to your house and talk to your husband and you can leave with the kids during this time. By the time you get back, your husband will have decided whether or not he will sober up. Usually the person he talked to will assume responsibility for taking him to the meetings or finding someone who will sponsor him. So you are off the hook at this point. On the other hand, he may decide no thanks and then you will have your real answer. AA is free and pretty crowded with new people around the holidays, so the timing is good. The average age of a person coming into AA is 25 to 45, so there should be plenty of people for him to talk to. At the same meeting place there should be meetings for you called Al-Anon and for your son called Alateen. Good Luck!

We only buy for our two sons, and they are older. [2008-11-19]
The youngest (18) wants a decent digital camera, so I think about $250 to $300 range plus some stocking stuffers. Oldest son is easily pleased. HeIndiana Jones style hat, and a book so far. We may round out his gifts with cash, since he's a starving college student. Husband and I do not exchange gifts. My birthday is the day after Christmas, and that is just dinner out for the two of us. Our 24th anniversary is in January, and I already know that I want to get him an iPod. His 50th birthday is in April, and I would love to have a party for him. I'm definitely saving up for that, but it will be a relaxed party. While are Christmas will be fairly simple, looking ahead, I'm trying to budget for some other things.

Are anyone's children into the "Twighlight" craze? [2008-11-18]
The book series by Stephanie Meyers? It My 14 year old and her friends are absolutely crazy about the books and now that the movie is coming out itThe movie is out Friday and she already has presale tickets. I havenI have to say the movie lookslike it might be really good.

My daughter is and she is 15 [2008-11-18]
There is a midnight showing here on Thursday nite but she hasn't asked if she can go. I guess she knows the answer will be NO! She can wait until the weekend. I am looking for something to read now so maybe I will take a look at the book.

My daughter had the books and I read them [2008-11-18]
at 50. Absolutely love them and am going with my daughter and her friends to see it. I was disappointed after I read the last book that there were not more. I am currently also watching TrueBlood on HBO and absolutely love it. It is based on a series of 9 books and I am on book #5. Certainly would not recommend the series or books for young teens (very graphic in all aspects), but very good series. The series is not following the books, which is a little disappointing however. I only hope the Twilight movie in in line with the books.



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